In today’s video we’re going to, survey and briefly summarize the Book of Jonah.
Then afterwards, as always, I’ll share some helpful resources, so stick around until the end.
As for the Author: Jonah 1:1 identifies the book as telling the story of the prophet Jonah.
Although the book is written in the third person, the traditional view is that Jonah
is the author of the book, and there is no persuasive reason to theorize about an unknown
author.
As for the Date of Writing: The Book of Jonah was likely written between 793 and 758 B.C.
Now, for the Purpose of Writing: Disobedience and revival are the key themes in this book.
Jonah’s experience in the belly of the whale provides him with a unique opportunity to
seek a unique deliverance, as he repents during this equally unique retreat.
His initial disobedience leads not only to his personal revival, but to that of the Ninevites
as well.
Many classify the revival which Jonah brings to Nineveh as one of the greatest evangelistic
efforts of all time.
Here are some Key Verses:
Jonah 1:3, "But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish..."
Jonah 1:17, "But the LORD provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside
the fish three days and three nights."
Jonah 2:2, "In my distress I called to the LORD, and He answered me.
From the depths of the grave I called for help, and you listened to my cry."
Jonah 3:10, "When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, He had
compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened."
Here’s a Brief Summary: Jonah’s fear and pride cause him to run from God.
He does not wish to go to Nineveh to preach repentance to the people, as God has commanded,
because he feels they are his enemies, and he is convinced that God will not carry out
his threat to destroy the city.
Instead he boards a ship for Tarshish, which is in the opposite direction.
Soon a raging storm causes the crew to cast lots and determine that Jonah is the problem.
They throw him overboard, and he is swallowed by a great fish.
In its belly for 3 days and 3 nights, Jonah repents of his sin to God, and the fish vomits
him up on dry land (we wonder what took him so long to repent).
Jonah then makes the 500-mile trip to Nineveh and leads the city in a great revival.
But the prophet is displeased (actually pouts) instead of being thankful when Nineveh repents.
Jonah learns his lesson, however, when God uses a wind, a gourd, and a worm to teach
him that He is merciful.
As for Foreshadowings: That Jonah is a type of Christ is clear from Jesus’ own words.
In Matthew 12:40-41, Jesus declares that He will be in the grave the same amount of time
Jonah was in the whale’s belly.
He goes on to say that while the Ninevites repented in the face of Jonah’s preaching,
the Pharisees and teachers of the Law who rejected Jesus were rejecting One who is far
greater than Jonah.
Just as Jonah brought the truth of God regarding repentance and salvation to the Ninevites,
so too does Jesus bring the same message of salvation of and through God alone (John 14:6
and Romans 11:36).
Now for some Practical Application: We cannot hide from God.
What He wishes to accomplish through us will come to pass, despite all our objections and
foot-dragging.
Ephesians 2:10 reminds us that He has plans for us and will see to it that we conform
to those plans.
How much easier it would be if we, unlike Jonah, would submit to Him without delay!
God’s love manifests itself in His accessibility to all, regardless of our reputation, nationality
or race.
The free offer of the Gospel is for all people in all times.
Our task as Christians is to be the means by which God tells the world of the offer
and to rejoice in the salvation of others.
This is an experience God wants us to share with Him, not being jealous or resentful of
those who come to Christ in “last-minute conversions” or who come through circumstances
dissimilar to our own.
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